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Vernacular America in the 1930s and 1940s: The Art of Ben Messick and Fred Shane

The Research Center of the State Historical Society of Missouri Gallery will host works of Ben Messick and Fred Shane, two regional artists whose lives and works are paralleled in this showing of “Vernacular America in the 1930s and 1940s”. Not until later in their lives did they become compatriots in art, although the patterns of their lives, though varied in detail and location, shared many similarities.

Both began as artists in the genre of Realism, and this exhibition focuses on works of that era. Later, both became Modernists and Surrealists and both gained more acclaim for their contributions in those genres. However, their works in the realm of Realism have become historically important to the regions of their early lives as artists in Missouri, and this exhibition displays those captures of humanity during the times of the Depression and WWII.

Both artists became important in the art world not only via their works, but as art instructors in California and Missouri and in other countries. Both were widely traveled and gained sophistication of creativity and technique as a result.

This is an excellent opportunity to view glimpses of the everyday lives of their ordinary neighbors and fellow citizens in this region, as captured by two important regional artists during an extraordinary period of American history.

Admission is free and the gallery is open daily except Sunday and Monday. For more information regarding the exhibition, please click here.